Refrigerating system for water-cooling apparatus



Jan. 4, 1927. 3,613,241

J. E. MITCHELL REFRIGERATING SYSTEM FOR WATER COOLING APPARATUS Filed June 36 l fA/MA/rok: flaws 770 244 2 M MM Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

JOHN E, mr'ronnnn, or s'r. LOUIS, miss cunt.

REFRIGERATING SYSTEM FOR "WATER-COOLING APEARATUS.

application filed June 6, 1925. Serial lt'o. 35,271.

This invention relates to water cooling apparatus, wherein drinking water drawn from a source of supply, preferably an inverted container mounted on the apparatus; is

6 cooled by a mechanical refrigerating system.

The mechanical refrigerating system I employ is of novel construction and operation and is equally applicable to other refrigerating purposes than that of cooling w water.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of novel means for antomatically controlling the operation of the r'efrigeratin system by temperature conditions obtaining in the water supplied to the system subject tothe refrigerating action,

whereby liquid refrigerant is supplied to,

and vaporized refrigerant withdrawn from,

the evaporatorof the system in alternation and intermittently.

The refrigerating system is of the well known flooded type, and in such systems,.it has been common practice to control the flow of the liquid refrigerant from the high side of the system to the low side by means of a needle valve operated by a float, which is adapted to function so as to permit only liquid to be fed from the high to thelow side as fast as the refrigerant is condensed into liquid,'and to prevent any uncondensed refrigerant or gas from reaching the low side. This means of controlling the flow of the liquid refrigerant is not dependable where the amount of liquid flowing through any given period of operation is very small, as must be the case with a water cooling ma chine such as herein described, for the rea son that in order to feed such a small amount of liquid during the time the machine is in 40 operation, andat the same time prevent any gas going through from the high to the-low side, the orifice controlled by the needle valve, andthrough which the liquid is fed, must be very small, so that a very slight accumulation of foreign matter will clog it up; while, on the other'hand, if the'orifice referred to is made large enough to prevent clogging, it is practically impossible to close it tight enough with the needle point to pre- 0 vent gas feeding through with the liquid.

Another objectof the invention, therefore, is to overcome the difficulty inherent in the means heretofore employed for controlling the flow of liquid, and this I accomplish by reversingthe ordinary procedure and so controlling the operation of the macourse, to the action of a motor-driven compressor for drawing the evaporated refrigerant from the low side and forcing it into a condenser on the high side.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel means for placing the machine in operation and for simultaneously closing the valve to prevent the flow of liquid to the low side, and'for stopping said machine and simultaneously opening saidvalve to permit the flow of the liquid refrigerant to the low side.

Another object of the invention relates to the provision oftemperature-controlled means for closing a switch to the motor to start the machine in operation when the temperature of the water is lowered to a given degree, and to open said switch to stop the motor when the temperature of the water has risen to a given degree, in combination with means for simultaneously closing the valve controlling the flow of liquid refrigerant to the low-side when the machine starts operating, and' for simultane-.

ously opening said valve when the machine stops operating.

A novel feature of the invention resides in the fact that I provide for equalizing the pressure between the high and the low side whenever the machine ceases operation, and for reestablishing a difierential in pressure between the high and low side whenever the machine starts operating.

' Other objects of the invention and novel features thereof will more clearly appear from thedescription hereinafter given and will be particularly pointed out in the claims. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-section showing a completely assembled machine for cooling bottled water according to my invention, and in which the control of the needle valve is effected by an electro-magnet; Y

'Figure 2 is a view of the lower part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, but illustrating a mechanical means for efiecting the operation of the needle valve; and

.- Figure 3 .is a view in end elevation of the valve controlling means shown in Figure 2.

Referrmg now to the drawlng, the numeral 1 indicates a stand pipe which is adapted to contain a body of liquid refrigerant, and constitutes the evaporator or low side of the refrigerating system. Surrounding this stand pipe and concentric therewith is a water jacket 2, providing between it and the stand pipe 1, a space 3 for holding a column of water around and in contact with the walls of the evaporator 1. The water jacket 2 is open at the top and is adapted to support and receive water from an inverted water bottle. 4, as shown. rounding the water jacket is a wall of insulating material 5, to prevent or retard the leakageof heat into the wall or column of water being cooled, the insulating material being held in place on the outside by a drum 6, which is concentric with the evaporator 1 and water jacket 2. Surrounding the drum 6 is a condenser 7 comprising a coil wound spirally around the drum 6. The numeralv 8 indicates a compressor from the outlet of which a pipe 9 leads to and communicates with the top coil of the condenser 7. A pipe 10 leads from the suction side of the compressor and communicates with the evaporator 1 at the upper end thereof. The lower end of the condenser communicates by a pipe 11 with a valve chamber 12, and a pipe 13 leads from the valve chamber through afianged plate 14 forming the'bottom of the evaporator 1 and the water jacket 2, and extends upward to a point a relatively short distance from'the top 15 of the evaporator.

The parts described are mounted on a suitable base 16, which constitutes part of a frame or casing supported by standards 17. on the lower side of the base 16 is a bracket arm 18 on which is pivotally mounted at one end, at 19, a lever 20. Pivotally mounted on the lever 20 is a needle valve 21 which extends through a suitable stuiiing box on the valve casing 12 and closes an opening 22 in the upper part of the valve casing communieating with the pipe 13. The arm 20 may be operated in various ways for actuating the valve 21- to open and close the port 22.

As shown in Figure 1, I employ an electromagnet, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3. I employ mechanical means for controlling the operation of the valve. Referring to the construction shown in Figure 1, I pivotally mount on the outer end of the lever 20 a link 23 projecting upward through the base 16 and having mounted on its upper end an armature 24 located in proximity to electromagnets 25 supported in a frame on the base 16.

Mounted on the top 27 of the casing or frame of the apparatus is a motor 28. the

- shaft of which carries a pulley 29 over which runs a belt 30 to and over a pulley 31 on the shaft of the compressor .8. Extending Surthrough the top 15 of theevaporator and downward into the water compartment 3 is a tube 32 from the upper end of which leads a branch tube 33 which communicates with the Bourdon tube of a mercoid switch 34 of well-known construction. The tube 32, branch tube 33 and the Bourdon tube are supplied with a suitable liquid as usual, which will readily contract and expand under differences in temperature and thus actuate the Bourdon tube of the switch.

The numerals 35, 36, indicate the main line circuit.v A wire 37 leads from the wire 36 to one contact of the mercury tube 38, and a wire 39 leads from the other contact of said mercury tube to one side of the motor 28. A wire 40 leads from the other side of the motor to the electro-magnets 25 and then back to the main line wire 35. A pipe 41 communicates with the bottom of the water jacket 2, and extending upward through the insulating material 5, projects outward beyond the condenser and the frame of the machine, where it may be provided with a suitable faucet 42 for withdrawing water as desiredfor drinking purposes.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Assuming the parts to be in the position as shown, the switch 38 is closed and the electric motor 28 is operating, causing the compressor to draw vaporizedrefrigerant from the top of the evaporator 1 and force it out through the pipe 9 into the'condenser .7. As the electro-magnets hold the armature 24 in its upper position, the valve 7 is closed, and hence the refrigerant will be placed under sufiicient pressure in the condenser to liquefy. If desired, the condenser may be Water cooled or air cooled to facilitate the liquefaction of the refrigerant. However, I have not considered it necessary to show any such cooling means as the same are well known, and, as such, form no part of the invention.

.The evaporator 1 is maintained full of liquid refrigerant to a point near the upper end of the pipe 13, leaving a small space above the liquid refrigerant to permit the same to evaporate. \Vith the motor in operation, evaporated refrigerant will be drawn through the pipe 10, causing the liquid refrigerant to boil and further vaporize, which result also follows from drawing water through the faucet 42. which causes uncooled water to pass into the Water jacket from the bottle 4. The evaporation of the refrigerant causes a lowering of the temperature of the water in the water jacket 2, and this continues as long as the motor is in operation withdrawing the gaseous refrigerant from above the liquid refrigerant in the evaporator. WVhen the temper ature of the water has been lowered to the required degree. the mercury tube 38 will be thrown to the opposite position to that system and the evaporator 1 is equalized.

it is shown to occupy, which will operateto break the circuit to the motor and stop j the operation ofthe machine. This action also breaks the circuit tothe electro-magnets which, being de-energized, will permit the armature 24 to fall under the action of the weight of arm 20. This action lowers the needle valve 7 and opens the port 22, allowing the liquid refrigerant which has been stored in the bottom of the condenser 7 to flow into the pipe-13 and out into the evaporator 1. When all of the liquid .re-

frigeranthas passed into the evaporator,

sufiicient gaseous refrigerant will flow, and

this flow will continue until the pressure between the condenser or high side of the to close the circuit to the electric motor and to the electro-mag-nets 25, therebyplacing the machine in operation again and closing the port 22, whereupon liquid refrigerant will again be stored in the condenser 7 wheel 44. Secured to one end of the lever Referring now. to the valve controlling means illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the shaft 43 of the compressor 8 is extended outwardly beyond the pulley 31 and has secured on its end a peripherally-grooved friction 20 is a strap 45, preferably of leather, which is passed over the friction wheel 44 to lie in the groove thereof, and has secured on its free end a weight 46. If desired, a weight 47 maybe adjustably mounted on the lever 20 so as to bring about the correct balancingrelation between this lever and the weight 46. Normally, the weight of lever 20 is suflicient to overcome the force of weight 46 when the compressor is not running, so that said lever will fall and open the valve 21. As soon as the compressor is placed in operation, however, the frictional engage-- ment of the surface of the wheel 44 with the strap 45 is suflicient to pull the part of said strap connected to the lever upward and to maintain it in such position, thereby closing the valve 21 and holdingit. closed as long as the compressor-operates.

As indicated above, however, both the electrical means and the mechanical means herein shown for controlling the valve 21 are merely illustrative, and any other means than those shown' could 'be employed for controlling the valve 21 in. such manner as to close it when the compressorstarts operating and to open it when the compressor stops operating, and becomprehended within the spirit of myinvention as outlined in the appended claims. I

In the use of either of the controlling means shown', it will be seen that as the pressure .betweenthe high and low sides of the system is always equalized after the machine stops operation, the-compressor-is ableto start without working against a load, thus permitting a much smaller motor to be used than would otherwise be the case. As soon, however, as the motor starts, pres sure will at once he built up in the condenser 7 and the high and low sides of the system will be re-established, and the leakage of gas to the low side will be prevented by the needle valve so long as the. machine' 7 is in operation.

I claun: 1. In a mechanical refrigeratmg system,

an evaporator for cooling an enclosed space subject to variations in temperature, means for supplying liquid refrigerant to the evaporator and for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant therefrom, and a plurality of means operatin automatically to start the supply of liqui refrigerant to theevaporator when the temperature of the enclosed space is'loweredto apredetermined degree, and to stop the supply of liquid refrigerant when the temperature of said space has risen to a predetermined degree.

2. In a mechanical refrigerating. system, an evaporator for cooling an enclosed space subject to variations in temperature, means for supplying liquid refrigerant to the evaporator and for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant therefrom, and a plurality of means operating automatically to start the supply of liquid refrigerant when the temperature of the enclosed space is lowered to a predetermined degree and for stopping the supply of liquid refrigerant and simultaneously withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator when the temperature of said space rises to a predetermined degree.

3. In a mechanical refrigerating system,

an evaporator for cooling an enclosed space subject to variations in temperature, a condenser, a compressor for forcing the refrigerant into the condenser and for simultaneously withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator, and a plurality of means operating automatically, upon the temperature of the enclosed space falling to a predetermined degree to stop the-compressor and open communicationv between the condenser and evaporating chamber, and to close communication between the condenser and the evaporating. chamber and simultaneouslystart the compressor to withdraw vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator and force the same into the condenser when the temperature in said space rises to a predetermined degree.

4. In a mechanical refrigerating system, an evaporator for cooling an enclosed space subject to variations in temperature, a coneating with the condenser atxits discharge side and with the evaporator at its suction side, a valve controlling communication between the condenser and evaporator, means controlled by the temperature within said space for starting or stopping the inotordriven compressor, and means crating autornatlcally to close communication between the condenser and evaporator when the comtill pressor is operating, and for opening said communication when the compressor stops. 5, in a mechanical refrigerating system,

"an evaporator for cooling an enclosed space subject to variations in temperature, a condenser, a motor-driven compressor communieating with the condenser at its discharge side and with the evaporator 'at its suction side, a valve controlling communication between the condenser and evaporator, means operating on the rise of tem erature within said space to a predetermine degree to start the compressor and on the fall of temperature in said space to a predetermined degree to stop the compressor, and means operating automatically to close communication between the condenser and ova orator whenever the compressor starts an to open said communication whenever the compressor stops.

6. In a mechanical refrigerating system, an evaporator for'cooling an enclosed space subject to variations in temperature, and

l y, said means operating to start the supply of liquid refrigerant when the temperature within said space falls to a predetermined degree and to stop the supply of the liquid refrigerant and simultaneously withdraw vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator Whenever the temperature in said space rises to a predetermined degree.

8. In a-vmechanical refrigerating system, an evaporator for cooling an enclosed space subject to variations in temperature, a condenser for liquid refrigerant, a motor-driven.

compressor having its discharge communicating with said condenser and its suction side with the upper end of the evaporator, a

'conduit affordlng communication between said condenser and the evaporator, a valve in said conduit, automatiomeans governed by temperature conditions in said space for controlling the operation of saidcompressor,

neiaaai and means operating to close said valve when the compressor starts and for'op'ening said valve when thepompressor stops.

9. In a mechanical refrigerating system, an evaporatorfor cooling an enclosed space subject to variations in temperature, a condenser for liquid refrigerant, a motor-driven compressor having its discharge side communicating with said condenser and its suction side with theupper end of the evaporator, a conduit afiordmg communication between said condenser and the evaporator, a valve in said conduit, automatic means governed by temperature conditions 'in said space for controlling the operation of said compressor, and automatic means for closing said valve when the compressor starts and for opening said valve when the compressor stops.

10. In a mechanical refrigerating system, an evaporator, a water jacket surrounding the same and adapted to have its water cooled by the evaporator, a condenser for liquid refrigerant, a motor-driven compressor communicating with the condenser at its discharge side and with the evaporator at its suction side, a valve controllin communication between the condenser'an evaporator, means for withdrawing cooled water at will from said water jacket, and for simultaneously supplying to said jacket the amount of water withdrawn,.- means controlled by the temperature .of the water within said jacket for starting or stopping the motor-drlven compressor, and means operating automatically to' close communication between the condenser and evaporator when the compressor'is operating and for opening said communicating when the compressor stops.

11. In amechanical refrigerating system, an evaporator for cooling anenclosed space subject to variations in temperature, a condenser for liquid refrigerant, a motor-driven compressor having itsdischarge side comion munlcating with said condenser and its suc- 'tion side with the upper end of the evaporator, a conduit affording communication be- .tween said condenser and the evaporator, a

valve in said conduit, automatic means governed by temperature conditions insaid space for controlling the operation of'said compressor, and means operated from the compressor for closing said valve when the compressor starts and for opening said valve when the compressor stops.

12. Ina mechanical refrigerating system, an evaporator for cooling an enclosed space subject to variations in temperature, a condenser for liquid refrigerant, a motor-driven compressor having its discharge side communicating with said condenser and its suction side with the upper end of the evaporator, a conduit affording communication between said condenser and the evaporator,

a valve in said conduit, automatic means power of the weight on said strap and open governed by temperature conditions in said said valve, and when the compressor is runspace for controlling the operation of said ning, the friction of said wheel exerted on compressor, a pivoted lever for operating said strap will be sufficient to raise said lever 6 said valve, a friction wheel rotating With to close the valve and maintain the valve 15 said compressor, and a strap secured at one closed as long as the compressor operates, end to the free end of said lever and having In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set a weighted end passed over said friction my hand. wheel, whereby when the compressor stops,

re the weight of the lever will overcome the 7 JOHN E, MITCHELL, 

